Samsung, Apple’s rival, has announced plans to start manufacturing laptops at its Noida facility in India later this year. The decision is part of Samsung’s efforts to expand its manufacturing operations for the Indian market.
Government Support:
- The Indian government’s emphasis on domestic manufacturing, including restrictions on laptop imports and the PLI 2.0 scheme for IT hardware, has influenced Samsung’s decision.
- Government measures aim to reduce dependence on imports, particularly from China, encouraging companies to localize production.
Current Manufacturing Base in Noida:
- Samsung’s Noida facility is already the second-largest production base for the company globally.
- The facility produces smartphones, wearables, feature phones, and recently launched electronic devices like the Galaxy S24 series.
Support for ‘Make in India’ Initiative:
- TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, acknowledged support from the state and central government.
- Preparations are underway to optimize the Noida facility for laptop production, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Laptop Manufacturing Unit Details:
- The new laptop manufacturing unit is expected to have an annual capacity of 60,000-70,000 units.
- Samsung will invest approximately Rs 100-200 crore for setting up the laptop manufacturing unit in Noida.
Market Dynamics:
- Samsung’s current role in the Indian laptop market is relatively small compared to leading players like HP, Lenovo, and Dell.
- Despite this, the move is seen as a positive step toward increasing local production and reducing the dominance of imported laptops.
Conclusion: Samsung’s decision to manufacture laptops in India reflects the company’s commitment to local production and aligns with government initiatives promoting domestic manufacturing in the electronics sector. The expansion of Samsung’s manufacturing capabilities contributes to the broader goal of reducing dependence on imports and fostering a self-reliant ecosystem.